Just want to let you all know, I made some minor adjustments to the last chapter. It's not really worth going back and looking at unless you just really want to, in which case be my guest. Sorry I haven't updated in a while, and this chapter's a little fast, but enjoy it anyway!

I slowly walked out of the arena along with Travis, Conner, and Annabeth. I was completely shocked and angry. I had got my butt whooped by a guy who hadn't even picked up a sword an hour ago! The thought of it made me burn with rage. I wished Jacob Spark would get blasted off the face of the Earth.

My thoughts were interrupted as I heard a sound that made me angrier. I turned to find that Annabeth was laughing. The Stoll boys were smirking too. "What's so funny?" I demanded.

"Nothing," Annabeth replied, still laughing. "It's just weird that you would get beat by Jacob."

"It's not funny," I grumbled, turning away, which only made them laugh harder. "What does Chiron want to talk to us about?"

Her smile faded. "I don't know," she said. "But it's something bad. He was really pale when he told me and he looked…scared."

That was surprising. Chiron being afraid was like Dionysus handing out lollipops to the campers.

We walked into the dining pavilion to find everyone else already there. Silena Beauregard sat at her table, and she winked at me as I walked in and made me blush, although I didn't really know why. Since Lee Fletcher had been killed last summer, Cardinna Reeves had taken his place as head of the Apollo cabin. Pollux sat talking with Beckendorf, and Clarisse was pacing in a line looking gloomy. Chiron was at the head table, and he greeted us as we walked in, but I could tell there was someone else missing. Finally, it came to me.

"Chiron, where's Mr. D?"

He looked grave. "I shall get to it, child." He banged his hoof on the floor. "Everyone please be quiet." Everyone turned sat down and turned to look at him. "I bring grave news from Olympus, I'm afraid."

We were silent as we waited in anticipation. Finally Chiron sighed. "It seems that Artemis has gone to the Titan's side in order to get her Hunters back."

For several moments, there was silence as we all took in the news. Then suddenly there was a chorus of "WHAT?" and everyone started shouting at once. I was one of the loudest. I had met Artemis before, and I knew the goddess would never join the Titan's side. She'd seen firsthand the evil of Kronos, and it had cost her the lives of one of her Hunters, Zoë Nightshade. That Artemis would go to them was beyond belief.

Chiron had to hit his hoof against the floor several times to silence us again. "I know this is hard to believe, but unfortunately, it's true. Artemis herself spoke with her brother, Apollo, before she left and told him the news."

"But why?" protested Cardinna. "Artemis wouldn't do that!"

Chiron stared hard at her. "She seemed to feel that the gods didn't care that the Hunters were missing, that they had more important things to worry about. No doubt Kronos also tormented her with nightmares of them injured or dead. Whatever the case, we must focus on the matter at hand: the goddess of the hunt has joined Kronos, who once again has a prophecy child in his possession."

"So it was Luke who kidnapped the Hunters," I growled, clenching my fists.

"It appears so," replied Chiron. "And now that he has Thalia, he could convince her to break her vow to Artemis and become sixteen, and then we could be in very big trouble."

"Then what do we do?" asked Silena.

"Yes, I was just getting to that," replied Chiron. "Artemis mentioned to Apollo that if a group of heroes could rescue the Hunters, she would return to the gods' side."

"Doesn't she already have the Hunters, though?" asked Travis.

"Not exactly," said Chiron. "Kronos merely offered her the Hunters' freedom to convince her to join his side. He still needs the Hunters as a bargaining chip, though, or Artemis might return to the gods' side."

"So Artemis doesn't really want to be with the Titans, she just want her Hunters back?" said Cardinna.

"Yes, child," said Chiron. Cardinna looked relieved.

Clarisse stood up now, her dark eyes glinting with determination. "So, is that it? We need a quest to find the Hunters and convince Artemis to rejoin the gods' side?"

"That is the general idea, yes," replied Chiron. "The gods have called an emergency meeting on Olympus and are now discussing what to do. Then again, without Artemis there, it's probably not going so well. However, a quest is the most reasonable option at this point."

We started murmuring amongst ourselves. "Who will lead the quest?" called Annabeth finally.

No one really had an answer. I really wanted to lead it, but I was afraid to speak up for a few reasons: one, I had led and/or gone on four quests before, and I was afraid I might have exceeded my limit or something. Two, I was just plain afraid. It seemed kind of stupid for me to go out into the world when Luke spent every waking moment of his life trying to kill me. And the final reason was that if I went, I would have to take at least two of my friends with me, and I didn't want to put them in danger.

Still, Thalia was my friend, and although I didn't love the rest of the Hunters, I still wanted to help them. Plus, Artemis was one goddess we needed back on our side again. If I could help to make it happen, I wanted to do it.

Chiron was looking around at us, as if prodding someone to volunteer to lead. Finally, Beckendorf spoke up and raised his hand. "I volunteer…" He suddenly pointed his finger at me, "PERCY to lead the quest."

Good old Beck. I was about to protest, but the others were murmuring in agreement, and Chiron was looking at me. "Well, Percy? Will you lead the quest?"

I shifted uncomfortably. "Don't you think it's a little dangerous for me to do it at this point?"

"Yes, yes I do," Chiron replied, "But danger is something a hero often has to prevail, if you haven't noticed." There was an edge of challenge in his voice, and I could tell he wanted me to lead this quest too.

Everyone was looking at me. I bowed my head for a moment, then I slowly looked up. "All right," I said. "I'll do it."

I got several claps on the back and a few "Good luck"s from various people, some more sarcastic than encouraging, and then Chiron said, "Very well then, Percy. You must go and consult the Oracle. Assuming you return with your mind still intact, we will talk further."

--

I made my way across camp towards the Big House, getting several questions from a bunch of campers, but I didn't explain things to anyone except Tyson and Grover, who accompanied me to the farmhouse.

"This is so terrible," moaned Grover, crunching on an apple mournfully as we walked. "Artemis, going to the Titans' side. When the satyrs find out, no one's going to want to help me anymore."

I felt for the guy, but I was too preoccupied to say anything. I mean, I was excited to lead another quest, but this one seemed far more dangerous than any I had gone on before. I wasn't sure if I would make it back alive.

"It will be okay, Goat Boy," said Tyson, putting his arm around him and giving him a hug that almost snapped him in half. They reluctantly left me at the porch of the Big House and I walked inside.

I went up the stairs, nervous. The Oracle was a mystical spirit that lived in a mummy in the attic. It gave ominous prophecies that always came true, although not always in the way people expected. I was afraid of what it was going to tell me about this quest.

I walked up to the trapdoor that led to the attic, pulled the cord and slowly ascended the ladder. The usual mildewy smell greeted me as I came up into the attic. Souvenirs from past quests were up against the walls, and in front of me sat the gruesome mummy in her chair. I slowly walked up to her, anticipation clawing at my stomach.

Suddenly, the Oracle sat up and green mist snaked its way out of the her mouth, making its way around the floor. A chilling voice rang through my mind: I am the spirit of Delphi, speaker of the prophecies of Phoebus Apollo, slayer of the mighty Python. Approach, seeker, and ask.

I gulped, and then slowly said, "What can I do to help the Hunters?"

For a moment there was silence. Then suddenly the mist formed a familiar image: all of the ones I cared about, sitting in a semi circle. I saw my mom, Poseidon, Grover, Annabeth, Tyson, and even Paul. They looked at me, but they didn't look particularly happy.

Suddenly, they began to move down the line, each of their mouths moving, but instead of their own voices, I heard only the hissing voice of the Oracle.

Seven shall go to the Mount of Despair, rasped my mom.

Six with Wild's blessing, three kin of three lairs, Poseidon said.

One must be lost to achieve your true goal, Grover whispered.

Love shall decide the fate of one's soul, Annabeth hissed.

One must become two, or all will be lost, Tyson rasped.

And the battle will finally end, at a cost, finished Paul.

With that, the smoke began to seep back into the Oracle's mouth. "Wait!" I called. "Who will be lost? How will the battle end?"

But, as usual, it ignored my pleas. Its head slowly tipped back and reclined against the wall, and then it moved no more.

--

I slowly came back into the pavilion. "Percy, good," said Chiron. Everyone saw me and sat down again.

I took a deep breath. "I got the prophecy," I said. "I'll go on this quest to find the Hunters."

Everyone was silent. "The prophecy, then," said Chiron finally. "Let's hear it."

I sat down. "Let's see…Seven shall go to the Mount of Despair. Six with Wild's blessing, three kin of three lairs."

I paused to let anyone comment. "Seven?" said Silena. "That's huge. Chiron, has anyone ever taken that many before?"

Chiron shook his head. "Not that I've heard of."

"Six with Wild's blessing…" said Annabeth slowly.

"Go on, child," Chiron said to me.

I looked down. "One must be lost to achieve your true goal," I paused. I was a little reluctant to share the next line, but in the end I said, "Love shall decide the fate of one's soul." Silena looked thrilled. I glared at her.

"One must be lost…that doesn't sound good," said Beckendorf. Well, gee, thanks, Becky. It's your fault I've got to go on this quest in the first place.

"Ooh, love!" sighed Silena, and then she looked between me and Annabeth with a knowing smile. I really wanted to punch her, but Chiron said, "Is that all?"

"No. One must become two, or all will be lost…And the battle will finally end, at a cost."

Everyone was silent. Then Chiron said, "Well, let's go back to the second line, because that's the one I'm concerned about."

Six with Wild's blessing, three kin of the three lairs, I repeated.

"So, seven must go, and six of them have to…" began Connor.

"It's us," said Annabeth suddenly, looking at me. "Wild's blessing. That's the ones who found Pan. He blessed us, remember?"

I nodded, remembering when Pan had blessed us in the cave before he had given up his spirit. "But Nico didn't get blessed," I said. "Why would it say 'six'?"

"It was probably referring to when he turned into mist and went in us," she replied. "Remember? He went into Nico too."

I looked at Chiron. "You knew the Oracle would say this," I said. "That's why you ordered Rachel be brought to camp too."

"So you admit she's not a half-blood!" exclaimed Clarisse. I ignored her.

Chiron shrugged. "I had my suspicions," was all he said.

"Okay," I said, "But I don't get the three kin of three lairs part…"

"The Three Lairs," said Chiron, "Were a term used by the British when the gods lived in England. They stood for Olympus, the Underworld, and Poseidon's kingdom. To put it in short, the Big Three."

"So you're saying that…a kid from each of the Big Three has to go on this quest?" said Pollux.

"It appears so," Chiron replied.

"What?" I exclaimed. "That doesn't even make sense. The only Big Three kids in existence are me, Nico, and Thalia, and she's who were trying to save! Is the Oracle stupid or something?"

No one had an answer, although everyone looked as frustrated as I felt. Chiron, on the other hand, looked thoughtful. "It seems," he said finally, "That we will have to wait."

"Wait?" I shouted. "We can't wait! Kronos could be tormenting Thalia right now! We have to-"

"Percy!" said Chiron. I reluctantly backed down. "I don't know why the Oracle said this, but it must be true. Three kin of each of the Big Three must go on this quest. It would be extremely unwise to go on the quest without following the Oracle's advice, and since there is no child of Zeus present at the moment, we will simply have to wait. This meeting is over. Back to your cabins!"

"Chiron, it's dinner time," Cardinna said. "There's no reason to-"

"I SAID BACK TO YOUR CABINS!" Chiron shouted. Everyone quickly got up and left.

I was burning with rage- at the Oracle, at Chiron, and at myself. Why had I agreed to go on this stupid quest? "I am so going to die," I murmured.

"That's the spirit," Travis said from a few feet away.

"Don't worry," said Annabeth quietly. "If the Oracle said that, there must be a reason."

Looking at her made me think of the prophecy. Love shall decide the fate of one's soul. It sort of bothered me that she had said that line in the Oracle's vision, although I knew it didn't really mean anything.

Right?

The rest of the day was slow and uneventful. The cabin leaders delivered the news to everyone else, and everyone was depressed at dinner. Then we had what I think was the saddest excuse for a campfire that I've ever seen at Camp Half-Blood. After that, I slumped back to my cabin, where Tyson was tinkering with some metal parts and Rachel was staring at the ceiling. Tyson hadn't been really concerned about the fact that we were going on another quest, but Rachel had gone back into depression, just when we were persuading her to come outside.

I slumped onto my bed and closed my eyes, trying to push away Jacob, the quest, the Oracle, and our problem to the back of my mind.

"Time to wait," I said miserably.

I didn't have to wait long. Five days later we had our final quest member.